Crazy 48 hours in progress. First, here is my preview of the Seton Hall-Syracuse game for Wednesday’s Gannett New Jersey papers: “Theodore: It’s big-time for us”[1]

HH SAYS: For an edited transcript of my interview with Hall coach Kevin Willard, scroll down in this post. And check back here Wednesday for updates from the Dome.

RUTGERS INJURY UPDATE (following Tuesday’s practice):

Mike Rice on Kadeem Jack (foot):

“Jack practiced the last two days, a little bit more today than he did yesterday, so it’s positive.”

“It’s 100 percent he can play (against Florida Thursday) barring a setback. But does he knows the plays? Is he ready to play? That’s the better question. He’s medically cleared. His foot is sore but it’s not anything to keep him out. Now it’s up to my discretion.”

“I think I know what I’m going to get—a rusty player. Eventually I’m going to have to, through practice and games, chisel some of that rust off.”

Rice on Malick Kone (knee):

“Malick’s probably three or four days behind him (Jack). I may not play him for Florida, but South Florida I would put 100 percent.”

TUESDAY’S HIGH SCHOOL ACTION

I dropped in at Roselle Catholic—always a great environment for hoops—and watched Ridge top Bishop Ahr 53-47. Good to see former Franklin coach Gary Feath, one of our all-time favorite skippers. Here is my game story: Defense leads Red Devils[2] and here is our photo gallery.[3]

A. “I’m not surprised that Herb andJordan are playing so well. What I’m surprised about is how well the younger guys have played to support them.”

Q. How much of the success is attributable to senior leadership?

A. “I’ve been saying this all along, Herb and Jordan have been absolutely fantastic. Their whole mental approach to what they’re doing has been spectacular.”

Q. How much of it is that everybody understands their role?

A. “It really helps saying, ‘These are the guys who are going to get theirs, and the younger guys, you’ll have yours one day. Whatever you get, you’ll get some good stuff because they’re having good years.’ Everybody has bought into that.”

Q. Fuquan Edwin has been a pleasant surprise; how has he improved?

A. “Last year he took a lot of jump shots and hung out on the perimeter. What he realized was by being active on defense and being a really good steal guy and getting out on the break and attacking the rim, he could be hard to defend. What do you say about him on a scouting report: Don’t let him get a steal and get out on the break? Understanding that has been his biggest maturation.

Q. Last year you guys obviously had some success against Syracuse, especially up there. Do you hope that some of that carries over confidence-wise with your players, or is it ancient history?

A. “That’s ancient history. We’re a totally different team, they’re a totally different team. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re the best team in the country top to bottom. They can run out two starting fives on you at any time. I don’t have Hazy (Hazell) to go out there and make 27-footers. We played really well up there and they just had a bad game. We made some shots and they didn’t. That happens every once in a while.”

Q. What will you tell your new guys about playing in the Dome?

A. “Playing at Dayton was a really tough atmosphere, probably one of the toughest we’ll face all year, so at least they’ve got that. But the Dome is such an intimidating place, the overall size. We’ve talked about it, about enjoying it. I loved playing there. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy history. To me it’s like playing in the Dean Dome—you think about all the great players who where there, all the great games.”

Q. Seton Hall has had some success there. Tommy Amaker and Louis Orr won big games there.

A. “I guess I’m done then. We all won one. Jim Boeheim is a real nice guy. He lets everybody win once and that’s it.”

Q. What kind of opportunity is this for the program, to play the No. 1 team in a place like that?

A. It’s a great opportunity. That’s the great thing about our league—you have those opportunities every couple of weeks. This is a huge challenge for us but it’s a good challenge, and I think everybody is really excited for it.”

Q. This three-game opening gauntlet in the Big East, how hard is this? When you first looked at the schedule you must have groaned.

A. “It seems like we’re the ones who are leaving (the conference). I’m not taking my football team and running. I played in this league, I thought maybe they’d be a little bit nicer to me (laughs) . . . We’re playing three of the best defensive teams. Syracuse doesn’t get enough credit for how great they are on defense. This is probably the best Syracuse team I’ve seen defensively in a long time. You have seniors and juniors playing and they all know their roles. When you have a team that knows their roles on defense that’s when you become really good.”